Rajaratnam, the founder of the now-defunct Galleon Group, was also fined $92.8 million, the largest fine the Securities and Exchange Commission has ever imposed on an individual. In addition, he was separately fined $10 million and ordered to forfeit $53.8 million.

If Rajaratnam receives a new kidney in prison, the procedure and related treatment expenses during his 11 years could cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. The wealthy convict will not be allowed to pay for it himself.

Rajaratnam's lawyer, who did not respond to a message from CNNMoney, had managed to delay the start of his sentence by one week, but couldn't get it extended beyond that.

Medical costs for inmates in the federal prison system totaled $495 million in the most recent fiscal year, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.